Bled, 28 August 2023 (MIA) - I am convinced and confident that the future of North Macedonia is in the EU, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, told MIA after Sunday’s bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski, held ahead of the beginning of the Bled Strategic Forum.

Michel assessed that North Macedonia and the EU have excellent relations. He commended the Prime Minister for his decision to commence the procedure of adopting the constitutional amendments.

“North Macedonia and the EU have excellent relations, and I would like to commend the Prime Minister for his decision to introduce the constitutional amendments in Parliament. I am convinced and confident that the future of North Macedonia is in the EU,” said the President of the European Council.

After his meeting with the Prime Minister, in a post on X (Twitter) Michel expressed support for the initiative to adopt the constitutional amendments despite, he wrote, the many political challenges. He praised the Prime Minister’s ”leadership and determination to advance on EU reform agenda and deliver concrete results.”

According to the Government, the importance of the commitment and support of the European Union for North Macedonia’s Euro-integrations process was underscored at Sunday’s meeting between Kovachevski and Michel. In a press release, the Government also said the two spoke about the importance of a successful conclusion to the constitutional amendments process, and the course of the country’s European integration.

“The two agreed that the constitutional amendments represent a unique and unrepeatable opportunity for North Macedonia’s progress and prosperity within the EU. North Macedonia’s EU membership will have a positive impact on the overall situation in the Western Balkans, especially in the area of economic development, both of the country and the region,” said the press release.

According to MIA’s reporter in Bled, at the meeting it was stressed that the commitment and the acceleration of the reforms is key for increased pre-accession funds for the Western Balkan countries.

The meeting between Kovachevski and Michel was held as part of the Prime Minister’s visit to the Republic of Slovenia, where he is to participate in the Bled Strategic Forum and have an address Monday.